Plizio Visual Lab

Myra

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

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Myra was a leading city of the Lycian League, located near the modern town of Demre in Antalya province. The site is globally famous for its sweeping rock-cut tombs, carved into vertical cliff faces overlooking a large Roman theater. These 4th-century BC tombs feature intricate reliefs that replicate the timber-framed architecture of ancient Lycian houses in stone. Myra held immense religious significance as the home of Saint Nicholas, who served as its bishop in the 4th century AD and was originally buried there. The city's Roman theater is remarkably well-preserved, decorated with expressive theatrical masks carved into its stone blocks. During late antiquity, Myra served as the capital of the province of Lycia, though it eventually declined in the 9th century due to floods and naval raids from Arab forces.

Location: Turkey
Top sights: Çayağzı Plajı · Sülüklü Plaji · Çakıl Plajı
Nearby: Bayındır (29 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug, Sep.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	4	5	8	11	17	22	26	26	22	16	10	6
Rain mm	225	122	74	51	36	12	5	3	27	76	113	220

📋 Practical info

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Visiting

The fascinating ruins of Myra can be visited as an extensive open-air archaeological site, with most areas being easily accessible for exploration. A comfortable walk through the ancient theater and around the rock-cut tombs is highly recommended.

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Typical hours

The archaeological site is usually open during daylight hours, with specific times varying slightly depending on the season. A visit in the early morning or late afternoon is often well-suited to avoid the large tourist crowds and enjoy better lighting conditions.

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Photography

Photography for personal use is generally permitted without any issues throughout the entire outdoor area of the historical site. The distinctive Lycian rock-cut tombs and the grand amphitheater offer wonderful photographic subjects, especially in the morning.

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Time needed

For a relaxed and thorough exploration of the entire complex, you should typically allow about one to two hours in your schedule. This amount of time is sufficient to admire both the theater and the impressive tombs without feeling overly rushed.

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Combine with

A trip to Myra can be excellently combined with a visit to the nearby Church of Saint Nicholas located in the center of Demre. A scenic boat trip to the photogenic ruins of the sunken city of Kekova is also a great addition to your daily itinerary.

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Getting there

The archaeological site is located just outside the modern center of Demre and is easily accessible via well-signposted local roads. Numerous organized tours from the surrounding coastal resorts frequently include this historical place in their itinerary.

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Insider tip

Be sure to wear comfortable and non-slip footwear, as the terrain around the ancient ruins can be quite uneven and rocky in places. Bring plenty of water with you, because it often gets extremely hot among the ancient stones during the summer months.

Geography

Coordinates

36.25800, 29.98000

Facts

The rock-cut tombs of Myra are divided into two main areas: the River Necropolis and the Ocean Necropolis.
Saint Nicholas, the Bishop of Myra, is the historical figure behind the modern legend of Santa Claus.
The Roman theater at Myra had a seating capacity for approximately 11,000 people.
The Church of Saint Nicholas in Demre houses 4th-century sarcophagi and medieval frescoes.
Myra was originally built on the Myros River, which connected the city to its port, Andriake.
Archaeological evidence suggests that much of the ancient city remains buried under 5-9 meters of silt.